R.I.P. Hunter S. Thompson

I think many were saddened today to hear that firebrand journalist and pundit Hunter S. Thompson took his own life on Sunday at his ranch in Colorado.

Thompson came to my attention via the ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ book and film, though in truth his strength lay in what he himself termed ‘gonzo journalism’, where the reporter becomes completely submerged, and a part of whatever he or she is covering.

In Hunter’s case, this was often sports with a side helping of drugs, and he is often referred to as a ‘counter-culture hero’. Check out some of his work at gonzo.org. Love him or hate him, he pushed the envelope, and the world is that little bit more pretentious without him in it.